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The air was chilly. I put my hands on the window to feel the cold and pulled away almost instantly. It was freezing and I heard my teeth chatter. The train was chugging through realms of whiteness. Soon I was lost in my mind's turmoils.

A day back I had reached Srinagar and checked into one of the hotels close to Dal lake. Solo Indian travelers are a rare sight, but solo Indian woman traveler are almost non-existent. And the suspicious stares from the receptionist confirmed this. Unfortunately, I wasn't here to explore Kashmir's winter beauty. I had flown in from Mumbai because I had other things on mind...

The train has finally reached my destination. - Qazigund. This small town in Anantnag district is called the Gateway of Kashmir. Until 2 weeks back, I wasn't even aware of its existence. I was here to meet the man I loved. It was him who had chosen Qazigund station as our rendezvous, since he was staying at the nearby town of Banihal for few days. It was going to be our last rendezvous...

I stepped out onto a snow-covered platform. It was just 10 in the morning, yet the station seemed deserted. I could see a tall figure walking towards me, but the heavy snowfall blurred my vision. As he came closer, I knew it was him. I still couldn't see his face, but something told me it can't be anybody else.

'You really shouldn't have come... '

I hugged him before he could complete the sentence. I was almost a foot shorter than him.

'I had to see you...' I said 'You really don't have to do this. Please tell me it's a nightmare and things will be back to normal once I wake up'.

'It's happening... And the sooner we accept this, the better for both of us' He said.

We sat on one of the snow clad bench, holding hands. Minutes passed, may be hours. We hardly spoke. He never said how he was feeling but his silence spoke more than words. I wanted to ask him to give me a little more time... a little more time to be near him... a little more time to hold his hand... a little more time to feel his presence in my life... a little more time in this hope that this little more time lasts forever...

"Take the next train back to Srinagar" He said... "I have to go back to..."

'No' was the only word that came out. I couldn't recognize my own voice. As the tears blinded my eyes, I held his hands tightly, not yet ready to let go. I felt a crushing pain, as if I was drowning. I knew I would never be the same again... Not today... Not tomorrow... Never.

A train was approaching the station.

'I have to get on that train. The next train to Banihal is after 3 hours' He said.

All I could do was nod in agreement. He kissed my forehead before walking away. I kept looking at the snow to avoid looking at him departing.
And so he left to marry the girl of his parents' choice, leaving the girl he loved sitting alone on a bench of the isolated Qazigund station. Her tears as frozen as the icicles hanging from the station roof. Her mind as colorless as the snow she rested her feet upon.

I don't know how long I waited there. I don't know how many trains I missed. I would have sat there for the entire night, if not for the good-hearted station master who had reminded me 'This is the last train before sunset. You should leave...'. His voice felt like it came from miles away. I was broken out of a trance. I should leave, I should leave - I repeated to myself. I boarded the next train out of Qazigund station.

I spent that night lying awake, staring up at the fan, trying to concentrate on counting the moving blades. The tears that rolled down, however had minds of their own. I felt lost... bleeding... crumbling... trying to fight the emptyness within me. I wanted to sleep; not because I felt sleepy or because I was tired, because I didn't want to be awake any more... But even sleep was elusive that night.

Next morning, before leaving for the airport, I took a walk around the Dal lake. But neither the snow clad houseboats moored on it banks nor the snow covered houses and trees appealed to me.

This quote by Kelly Link explains why I had traveled 2200 Kms to see the man I loved walk away.

"You were going to travel for love, without shoes, or cloak, or common sense. This is one of the things a woman can do when her lover leaves her. It's hard on the feet perhaps, but staying at home is hard on the heart, and you weren't quite ready to give up on him yet."

Now-a-days bridging large distances are easier... All you have to do is take a flight and it only takes few hours to travel thousands of miles. But how do we bridge the small distance between two hearts?

Since the past six months, I have been obsessed with Skyscanner. It all started while planning for my Switzerland-Italy trip when I came to know about a travel comparison site by this name. At that point of time, I used http://www.skyscanner.co.in to book the cheapest available return trip from Mumbai to Zurich. This article is a return gift to them for acting as my one-stop travel guide, at a moment when I was utterly confused over which online travel site to use to book my flight tickets.
I love Europe. Period. But if I have to choose only one place in Europe as Dream Destination 2014, it would be none other than Prague and here's how I make this happen - Smartly and Budget-friendly -

PLAN IT!

1. When should I travel to Prague?

Prague is at its busiest during the Spring and Summer months, i.e. from May to August. Since I prefer less crowd and don't mind the cold, I would pick up either the Fall months or November to go there. The only down part of traveling during the colder months is that I have to pack extra cold-weather gears.

2. Booking the flight tickets.

Booking the return trip flight ticket is absolutely necessary before applying for the Visa. Here is where Skyscanner comes to the rescue again! Keeping in mind that flight fares are the lowest between Tuesday and Thursday, I would fly out probably on a Tuesday and book the return ticket for the next Wednesday or Thursday.

My selected dates also include the 2 days Diwali holidays so that I can save up on my leaves. I would go for the first option Skyscanner shows - Swiss Air. It perfectly matches my preference - lesser flight duration with a 2 hours layover time at Zurich airport. I would land at Prague on 21st October at 9:40 CET, thus having the entire day for acclimatization and for getting rid of the jet lag.

3. Booking the Hotel

This one is as important as booking the flight as the Consulate would ask for proof of the same. But it's totally understandable that you might not want to book the hotel right away. I'll show you an easier way around.

Skyscanner gives you the option of hotel tariff comparison too.

Step 1: I'm ready to pay maximum Rs. 3000 per night. So after clicking on the Hotels tab, I set my price filter close to 25K for 9 nights. Unbelievable right? Who would give me a room in Europe in that rate - for 9 nights!!!

Step 2: I sort by highest to lowest rating and Voila!!! The topmost option that Skyscanner shows - Mosaic House (which is actually a hostel), In the centre of Prague, 4 Star, 8.6/10 rating based on 774 reviews - All these in just Rs. 9667! European hostels are the best place to stay if you are on a budget. I, however, scrolled down and chose Metropolitan Studios - a single room studio apartment, 3 stars, 8.4 rating - costing me Rs. 23098 for 9 nights - well within my budget.

Step 3: Here comes the main part now - Out of the websites Skyscanner shows, I would book through Booking.com as the site often allows you to do free bookings (Called as Pay Later) with free cancellation option before 48 to 72 hours of your arrival date. With this option, I do not need to pay for the hotel right away, yet have my proof of accommodation for the Visa requisite.

4. Getting the travel insurance

I would use a site like PolicyBazaar.com to get a travel insurance for my travel duration. I would buy an insurance policy that gives a minimum medical coverage of US$ 50000 for a premium as low as Rs. 300 to Rs. 400.

5. Getting the VISA

The best part about entering most European countries is the unified and simplified Schengen visa system. Since I'll be travelling to Czech Republic, I would approach the Consulate of Czech Republic, either myself or through a travel agency which provides Visa assistance. If you plan to travel to several countries within the Schengen area, you need to apply visa at the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to spend the most number of nights. The country of the first port of entry need not be the country to issue the Schengen visa if you are not spending maximum nights there; but only if you are spending equal nights in multiple Schengen countries. So once I have checked all the below requisites, I'm good to submit my Visa application and supporting documents to the Consulate.

Requisites

Conditions

Remark

Czech Republic tourist visa application form

Should be completely filled out and signed.

Check

Cover letter

Addressed to the Embassy of Czech Republic,
explaining the purpose of the trip, dates of travel, cities to be visited,
place of accommodation, etc.

Check

Indian Passport

Should have atleast 6 months of remaining
validity.

Check

2 Passport size photographs

Should adhere to mentioned dimensions
(Probably 35-45 mm).

Check

Copy of Round trip tickets

-

Check

Copy of confirmed hotel reservations

-

Check

Travel itinerary for the entire duration of
stay.

-

Check

Health Insurance

Minimum medical coverage of US$ 50,000 valid
for the entire duration of travel.

Check

Bank statement

Past 6 months.

Check

Salary slip

Past 6 months.

Check

Income Tax returns or Form 16

Last 3 years.

Check

Photocopy of PAN card

-

Check

Employer N.O.C.

A letter from your employer stating that a
leave of absence has been granted and that I will be returning to my current
job.

Check

Address Proof

Only if you are applying visa outside the
jurisdiction of your passport issuing office.

Check

The Visa processing may take from 5 to 20 days, so you should apply minimum 6 weeks before your travel... And wait for it...6. Wanna drive a car in Prague?Once your passport has arrived with the Schengen stamp on it, go ahead - Daydream! If you want to hire a self drive car in Prague, Skyscanner even gives you that option with its Car Hire tab. Click on it, select the pick up airport, pick up date/time, drop off date/time and your age of course.

The idea of hiring a car is tempting if you hold an international license and so I hired a Chevrolet Spark for 3 days so that I can drive around and know the city, till its time to explore Prague on foot.7. Currency Exchange :Get a World Currency Card and some hard cash converted into Czech Koruna.Current exchange rate : 1 CZK = 3.10 INR8. International SIM card:
It is always better to buy an international SIM card like HIREaSIM or WorldSim, instead of activating international roaming on your number (which is way more expensive).

DO IT!!

1. It's Time to Fly

* Keep a copy of all the Visa documents.* Keep a jacket in hand. There will be a minimum temperature drop of 20 degree Celsius from hot sweaty Mumbai to shivering cold Prague.* Report at least 2-3 hours before the check-in closes. Remember there are still few procedures left, including an interview at the immigration counter.*Reset the watch according to the destination time zone as soon as your are seated in the flight. This would mentally prepare me for that time zone.* Say "Bye Bye Mumbai, It's my time to Fly!"2. Welcome to Prague

I have to go through few more questions at the Passport control office, before I'm allowed to step out. I'll pick up the car and drive through Prague using the Navigator. It's a 30 minute drive to Metropolitan Studios.

I would buy a 4 day adult Prague Cardfor 45€ that would grant me entry to most of Prague's attractions and many offers/discounts on activities like the Vltava river cruise or at restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe. After dropping off the car by end of 3rd day, I would walk back through the cobble-stoned streets, but not before indulging in dinner at a classic Czech restaurant.

Image Courtesy : Google

I would spend the rest of the days exploring the cobblestoned lanes on foot, soaking in its Bohemian culture, strolling on Charles Bridge, gaping at the fairytale architectures, making friends with locals, may be riding a horse drawn carriage or attending an Opera or just losing myself in the magic of Praha.

TELL IT!!!

Once back home, it is always important to tell the story. That's how the World gets to know about all the good things to explore; be it a destination, hotels you stayed in, cuisines you tried or amazing sites like www.skyscanner.co.in, which also gives an option to compare flight fares from your location to 'Everywhere' (and that explains why I have been so obsessed with Skyscanner ever since , spending hours checking flight fares from India to 'Everywhere').

Dream like a child!!

"If I could see the world through your eyes... Oh the wonderful endless possibilities"